Governor: "House Of Cards" To Return To Maryland

Governor: "House Of Cards" To Return To Maryland

House of Cards star Kevin Spacey poses for pictures with Alex Schull and Andi Morony, two aides to Del. Michael Smigel at a reception last month. (Facebook photo)

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sheila Hixson leads a conference committee meeting on the film tax credit on the last night of this year's legislative session. (WBAL file photo)

The dispute over tax credits between the State of Maryland and the producers of the Netflix drama "House of Cards" is apparently over, as Governor Martin O'Malley, and the show's producers have announced the show will produce its third season in Maryland.

“Spoiler alert: we’re going to keep the 3700 jobs and more than 100 million dollars of economic activity and investment that House of Cards generates right here in Maryland,” Governor O’Malley said in the news release. “Media Rights Capital has been a great supporter of the people and entertainment community in Maryland and we couldn't be happier to continue our partnership.”

O'Malley says the production will receive $11.5-million in tax credits through a combination of both the current Film Tax Credit program, and $7.5-million that lawmakers approved in the new state budget that takes effect in July.

The governor says this was less than what the production company wanted, but it was enough to keep the production in Maryland.

“House of Cards is the gift that keeps on giving, having injected hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy, while also helping to provide thousands of jobs to our Maryland community,” commented Asif Satchu, co-CEO of Media Rights Capital in the news release.

“We are very grateful to both Governor O’Malley for his tireless efforts to help keep jobs in Maryland and the leadership of the General Assembly for their continued advocacy and support.”

The producers of the show expect to begin production on Season 3 over the next several months.

A spokeswoman for the governor said O'Malley and the producers had been negotiating a deal to keep the production in Maryland over the last few weeks.

The announcement of the deal came as the governor was attending a conference in the Netherlands.

In February, they had sent O'Malley and legislative leaders a letter informing them that production on the third season would be delayed until June, so that lawmakers could resolve the tax credit issue. The producers did say that there was the possibility the production could move out of Maryland.

"House of Cards" films on a sound stage in Harford County, as well as at various locations throughout Baltimore.

Lawmakers adjourned their session several weeks ago without approving legislation to increase the tax credit to $18.5-million. The Senate approved that bill, but the House of Delegates approved a measure that would force the producers to pay back any tax credit they receive, if they move their production out of Maryland.

On the last night of the legislative session, Senate negotiators walked out of a conference committee meeting, accusing the House negotiators of refusing to compromise.

Last month, "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey appeared at a private reception at an Annapolis restaurant to try to convince lawmakers to increase the credit.